Egypt 2019: Flying Eagles coach invites 33 for Libya tie

Head Coach Imama Amapakabo has called to camp 33 players ahead of next month’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying fixture between Nigeria and Libya.

The first leg, to be hosted by Libya in Tunisia (as the Libyans still cannot host international matches in their country), will hold between March 20 and 22, with Nigeria able to choose between March 25 and 26 for the return leg.

Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has opted for March 25 for the return leg, with the expectation that the Libya Football Federation will opt for either March 20 or 21 for the first leg.

The invited players resumed camping in Abuja on Wednesday.

Nigeria is the defending champion of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations, having defeated Algeria in the final of the second edition of the championship staged by Senegal in December 2015.

That triumph earned the Olympic Eagles a ticket to the Men’s Football Tournament of the Rio 2016 Olympics, where they won the bronze medal – Nigeria’s only medal at the Games.

Former Nigeria international goalkeeper Amapakabo has called four goalkeepers, nine defenders, 10 midfielders and 10 forwards for the assignment.

He is to be assisted by Kennedy Boboye (Assistant Coach), Fidelis Ilechukwu (Assistant Coach) and Etta Egbe (Goalkeepers’ Trainer).

Egypt will host the 3rd Africa U23 Cup of Nations from November 8 to 22, 2019.